My PC Get slowed when i connect to the internet..Help!

[ShankAlenka]

First Of all i'll list down the configuration of my pc so anyone can get a clear idea about my problem.

Processor : Intel Pentium Dual Core (1.8 Ghz)
RAM : 1GB
HDD : 160GB

So my problem is as soon as i connect to the internet my pc acts likes a pentium 1 PC.Please don't suggest to format and re-install my windows XP cause i want a better solution than that.

One of my friends told me that this may happen because of corrupted registry. What do you guys recommend.I know there are lot of experts here.

[chris.p]

You didn't say what software you have, which is kind of important here, so let's assume it all needs fixing OK?

Install Firefox and set it as the default browser. Don't use IE.
Install Online Armor software firewall.***
Install Avast antivirus (or similar) and run a full scan.
Install A-squared antispyware scanner and run a full scan.
Install the latest version of Java: www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp
Install JavaRa and delete old Java versions & Sun installer: http://sourceforge.net/projects/javara/
Uninstall risky downloads like screensavers.
Think carefully about your IM apps / policy (instant messaging).

*** From my point of view the software firewall is THE #1 safety device. Nothing else is so important.

IM and screensavers are major vectors for spyware exploits - these get in and then your PC is a botnet slave (it works for someone else...).

A Net-only slowdown could easily be a spyware issue if your security policy is flaky, but you didn't give us any info on this. You should also be running behind a hardware firewall (in addition to the software firewall), such as is in a WiFi router etc. Never use an ISP's free USB router.

Hope that stuff helps anyway - it's what I would fix 1st thing.

Originally Posted by ShankAlenka

So my problem is as soon as i connect to the internet my pc acts likes a pentium 1 PC.Please don't suggest to format and re-install my windows XP cause i want a better solution than that.

Additionally you should not rule out a complete new setup if your pc is infected. In order to avoid future hassle, read the following article on the main site. If you have to reinstall, make sure it is a clean install and follow...

Never Re-install Windows Again

http://www.techsupportalert.com/part...d-drives-1.htm
http://www.techsupportalert.com/part...d-drives-2.htm
http://www.techsupportalert.com/part...d-drives-3.htm

[elizabeth]

Thanks Chris P

I have always used ZoneAlarm for my firewall but lately I am hearing more and more that there are much better options out there, I stuck with it because I "knew" it and it "knew" me but hearing more and more about its flaws made me rather nervous.

I have tried others and found them to be really annoying; pop ups, constantly wanting attention and such like so I would return to old faithful ZA. I expect a firewall to be quite chatty to begin with but would like them to calm down eventually.

But now, after going through your cheklist here, I've now downloaded Armor software and it is great I love the safety check wizard and it sits there quietly in the background. Just what I need.

Although I haven't tried all the ones TSA recommends this one is certainly the best so far (for me) and the one I will be sticking with, so thanks chris.p


Lazy Sundays? My PC takes it literally and is slower than slow all because it is indexing. I put the indexing on snoozer so that I can carry on working but does anyone know how I can change the timing so that it can do its indexing in the middle of the night?

Do I really need it to index? I defragment each week, is that not sufficient?

I don't know if this is a side effect of SP2 or not but it is really irritating.



ShankAlenka: If you go to your ISP home page there is often a box to check your internet connection speed, if it shows to be rather slow they will give the reason why, the only reason Ihave ever seen come up though, is that they say it is too far from the exchange.

It's good to check all the things the guys are talking about and keep updated but it could be something as simple as your speed.

http://us.mcafee.com/root/speedometer/default.asp you can also give it a check out here

[peter]

Indexing and defrag aren't really related.
Why do you need to index your files? Does your method also index the file contents eg. text files?
I stopped letting it index some time ago; prefer to just use search mechanisms if I can't find something.

[elizabeth]

It is indexing automatically, if it's not necessary I would rather stop the process as it drives me mad.

How did you cancel it?

[peter]

By default Windows XP indexes files on your hard drive and stores them in memory to speed up its' built-in search. But if you rarely use Windows search, turn off indexing to free up memory and CPU horsepower for the files and applications you actually do use.

To turn off indexing:

1. Open up "My Computer."
2. Right-click on your hard drive (usually "C:") and choose "Properties."
3. Uncheck the box at the bottom that reads "Allow Indexing Service to..."
4. Click OK, and files will be removed from memory. This removal may take a few minutes to complete.

To disable the indexing service:

1. In the "Start" menu, choose "Run."
2. Type "services.msc" and press Enter.
3. Scroll-down to "Indexing Service" and double-click it.
4. If the service status is "Running", then stop it by pressing the "Stop" button.
5. To make sure this service doesn't run again, under "Startup Type:", choose "Disabled."

Windows search will still work if you perform these steps, but it will work more slowly than if indexing was enabled.

If you do want to try an alternative (but it doesn't index inside files) try "Everything":
http://www.voidtools.com/faq.php

[elizabeth]

Thanks you Peter, that's what I need

[Lassar]

Originally Posted by chris.p

Install Firefox and set it as the default browser. Don't use IE.
Install Online Armor software firewall.***
Install Avast antivirus (or similar) and run a full scan.

What are you trying to do ? Slow his computer down even more !

Online Armor software firewall is a Resource Hog !
Avast antivirus is a Resource Hog !

I liked Online Armor firewall but it slowed my computer down too much.
Microsoft firewall in XP is not too bad.

I suggest using Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Spyware Terminator, Ad-aware and spybot search and destroy to get rid of adware, spyware and malware.

A good free antivirus that does not take much resources is Avira Antivir.

The advice about using firefox is very good !

You can get malware on your computer by just visiting a website using internet explorer.

After defraging your hardrive, I suggest getting PageDefrag to defrag your pagefile and regristry hives.

Use TuneXP to speed it up. And also use cachemanXP. It will also help speed it up.

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[ma_t]

If registry corruption is indeed your problem none of the solutions already mentioned before will work for you. Try using WinSock Xp Fix to bring your registry back to normal. It already saved thousands of people from similar problems like yours. Can be found here: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html. Don't be fooled by the 3 stars rating snapfiles has given to it, just look at the huge list of positive user feedback its getting(5 stars based on about 160 opinions)!!!